Orchestra mixing it up at Elk Valley

Director John Webster, right, conducts the Curry-Del Norte Orchestra during a recent rehearsal. The orchestra performs Saturday in Gold Beach, Sunday in Crescent City and Monday in Brookings. Photo courtesy of Curry-Del Norte Orchestra

The Curry-Del Norte Orchestra will perform three concerts in the next few days, including one in Crescent City on Sunday afternoon.

The performances begin Saturday in Gold Beach at 7 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 94150 5th St. The Crescent City concert will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Elk Valley Rancheria, 2332 Howland Hill Road. On Monday, a Brookings concert is set for 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1200 Easy St.

Admission for these concerts is $10 for adults. Youth through grade 12 are admitted free. Ticket outlets include Del Norte Office Supply in Crescent City, Wright’s Art Supply in Brookings and Gold Beach Books in Gold Beach. Tickets are also available at the door of each concert.

This winter’s concert theme, “Mix Tape,” refers to the orchestra’s program of music ranging from classic to contemporary. The expression “mix tape” or “mixtape” means a compilation of favorite pieces of music, typically by different artists of diverse genres.

Concert-goers will enjoy works as varied and intriguing as highlights from modern composer John William’s many famous movie soundtracks to Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov’s classic “Procession of the Nobles” and J. S. Bach’s “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme.” Works by Emmanuel Chabrier, Hector Berlioz, William Boyce, Gabriel Faure, and Franz Gruber will also be performed.

John Webster, the new director of the Curry-Del Norte Orchestra, enjoyed the creative challenge of selecting this season’s pieces. Webster taught music education for 34 years prior to retiring. Before becoming director, he played French horn for the orchestra, following a long career of also performing professionally with the Fresno Philharmonic. In addition to his new role as orchestra director, Webster has also returned to teaching, leading music classes at Azalea Middle School in Brookings.

The upcoming concerts are an opportunity to enjoy dynamic live performances and to introduce children to the life-long joys of music. The orchestra is a non-profit organization sponsored by the Curry/Del Norte Orchestra Guild, associate members, and Southwestern Oregon Community College, and supported by donations from individuals and organizations that recognize the importance of continuing the great tradition and value of music in the community.